Van drivers urged to use winter tyres on ‘perilous’ roads

Van and truck drivers are being warned to make sure their tyres are fit for winter conditions amid fears of increased accidents on icy roads.

Drivers are 20 per cent more likely to suffer a road accident during the winter months, says commercial vehicle leasing firm LeaseVan.co.uk.

'One in four crashes involving HGV's are fatal or serious'

The company supplies thousands of vans to UK drivers each year and is warning people to make sure tyres are fit for winter driving conditions.

A spokesman said: “This may mean changing their tyres altogether and replacing them with specialist winter treads, particularly if driving on remote country roads.

“These specially modified tyres improve traction in slippery conditions and are designed to help drivers maintain better control of their vehicle when the roads deteriorate.

“Staying safe on Britain’s wintery roads is important not just for van and truck drivers but other road users to, as one in four crashes involving HGV’s are fatal or serious.”

The tyres work best when temperatures drop below seven degrees, improving the traction, grip and breaking performance of a vehicle.

The spokesman added: “In Britain, most vans and trucks are fitted with standard tyres and while it is not mandatory for vehicles to fit winter tyres during the colder months unlike some European countries, they do significantly reduce the risk of driving in wet or icy conditions.”

One of the key differences between the two tyre designs is a much deeper tread grooves on the winter tyres which are much more effective at dispersing surface water on the road, reducing the risk of skidding due to surface water.

The tyres are covered with small jagged slits called sipes which improve traction when temperatures plummet and snow falls on the roads as they provide hundreds of small extra edges to grip the road when the tyre rotates.

Vans storing a lot of tools or trucks with heavy loads are particularly vulnerable to spinning as heavier weight in the rear can destabilise the vehicle when turning, said the spokesman.

He added: “ Having more grip is important for vans and trucks as it can reduce the risk of drivers losing control of their vehicle.”

Tim Alcock from LeaseVan.co.uk said: “Driving any vehicle in cold wintery conditions can be perilous but being behind the wheel of a van or truck with a heavy load is even more dangerous due to decreased stability and longer breaking distances.

“Drivers using the specially designed tyres will feel more in control of their vehicle when on wet and icy roads, where a normal summer tyre would struggle for grip and traction.”

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